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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
June 15, 2026 | 12:00am
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro held a briefing at Malacañang on February 18, 2026.
STAR / Noel Pabalate
MANILA, Philippines — She may be known for her acid-tongued clapbacks to critics of the administration, but Palace press officer Claire Castro says she would not be able to defend President Marcos if he is wrong, and she would rather quit if she is forced to tell lies.
In an interview with television host Boy Abunda, Castro said she would defend the President as long as he is doing the right thing and the administration is telling the truth.
“I cannot defend (him) if we are hiding a wrongdoing. So as long as I know that the President is doing what is right, I would defend him,” she said.
When given the hypothetical scenario wherein she knows that something is not right and asked whether she would still stand by Marcos, Castro replied: “I will tell him, that’s not correct. That’s wrong. Let’s make an action on that.”
According to Castro, the President listens to his officials and she can give him advice and suggestions.
“What the President needs are not just apple polishers, but people who will give him the right information,” she said.
No apologies
In the same interview, Castro took a jab at administration ally-turned-arch critic Vice President Sara Duterte, a frequent subject of her tirades.
When asked who she would stalk if given the power to be invisible for a day, Castro said: “VP Sara. So I would know where she is getting her fake news.”
Asked how she would say thank you and sorry to Marcos, Castro said she would do so directly.
“He (Marcos) does not hold grudges. You can feel that,” she said.
To prove her point, Castro said the President just allows the criticisms of his estranged elder sister Sen. Imee Marcos against him pass. Imee is a known ally of Duterte.
When asked how she would say thank you and sorry to Duterte, Castro said: “I will not say sorry. I will not say thank you.”
